Manchester United confirm Harry Maguire transfer in world-record £80million deal

Harry Maguire has signed for Manchester United [Courtesy]

Manchester United have confirmed the signing of Harry Maguire in a world-record £80million transfer from Leicester City.

According to the club’s official website, the England international has now joined the Old Trafford club.

“It’s incredible. A really proud moment for myself, to join such a big club, one that I’m really looking forward to it and I can’t wait to get started now. My first game of last season was at Old Trafford and it’s a fixture I always look for when I’ve been playing in the Premier League. Old Trafford away, and it’s now my home,” Maguire said.

The 26-year-old is now determined to win trophies with the Red Devils.

“We’ve got to start winning trophies again and it’s something the gaffer wants to bring to the club – the winning mentality as well, which will help all the boys. I’m sure it’s something he and his staff will bring to the club and we’re all looking forward to it,” he said.

”I’m really proud to be here, at such a big club, and I’m really looking forward to getting started. I'm hoping it will be a successful season, and I'll give everything I've got for this club.“ Maguire added.

Maguire, 26, becomes the world's most expensive defender after United splashed the cash to land Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's top target.

The England international was heavily linked with an Old Trafford move that never materialised last summer, and Manchester City also launched an attempt to secure his signature earlier this summer.

But the Foxes held out for a high price which United eventually decided was worth paying to land the former Hull City centre-back.

Maguire becomes their third summer signing after adding Daniel James and Aaron Wan-Bissaka earlier in the transfer window.

Maguire is officially a Manchester United player [Courtesy]

The two clubs were still believed to be £20m apart on their valuation earlier this week, with United having a £70m bid rejected and Leicester demanding £90m.

But an injury to Eric Bailly in pre-season action leaving him facing five months on the sideline pushed United into action with an increased urgency over the need to strengthen their defence.

Now the 20-cap England defender penning a long-term deal.

The record-breaking fee is more than the £75million Liverpool paid to sign Virgil van Dijk from Southampton back in January 2018.

Maguire rose through the ranks at local club Sheffield United, making his first-team debut as an 18-year-old in 2011 and making over 100 league appearances for the club.

He joined Hull City in a £2.5m deal in July 2014 before signing for Leicester for an initial £12m fee rising to £17m with add-ons in June 2017.

After two impressive seasons at the King Power Stadium and having established himself as a first-choice member of Gareth Southgate's England side at last year's World Cup, he has now moved on for a new challenge at Old Trafford.